Mrs Fatou Jassey-Kuyateh, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Vice-President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs, has revealed that almost ninety percent of the micro-level beneficiaries of the UNDP funded FASE project are women.

Madam Jassey-Kuyateh made these remarks during the official inauguration of Lamin Sanchaba Nyodema Skills Centre, funded by FASE, UNDP and  USAID yesterday.

She said that following their training in the management of community- based organisations, technical and entrepreneurial skills, livelihood skills and access to micro-finance, access to social infrastructure is also enchanced based on the needs of the beneficiaries. She said that it is as a result of this that the skills training centre was constructed for the women of Lamin Sanchaba West.

According to her, women are unique individuals with their own capacities and capabilities. Women, she added, are treasured for what they are and for what they can contribute to the development of their communities, nations and the world at large; thus, the concern of the international communities, the United Nations and the whole world in mainstreaming gender in all development policies and programmes.

According to Madam Jassey-Kuyateh, the construction of the skills centre would greatly empower the women of Lamin and also provide them the opportunity to train other women and youth in livelihood skills. Through this, she said, they will contribute in addressing the existing gender inequalities. She said that the government of The Gambia and the international organisations are all concerned about addressing the gender inequalities in mainstream development programmes. Therefore, all must renew their commitment and determination to stamp out gender inequality, if we really want to achieve sustainable socio-economic development.

She finally said that UNDP has through FASE contributed in a very big way towards the development goals of The Gambia’s Vision 2020 and the PRSP.

Speaking earlier, Fatou Kinteh of the UNDP, said that the Fight Against Social And Economic Exclusion (FASE) project was conceptualised in 2000 by UNDP as part of its contribution towards  poverty alleviation programme of the government of The Gambia.
According to her, the sum of D193,076 was deposited in the bank account of the women’s group which was used for the construction of the skills centre. She also thanked Mbemba Bojang, the Alkalo of Lamin for providing the land for the construction of the skills centre.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Mamodou Jagne of the UNDP and Sainabou Faal, Deputy Governor, Western Region.
The opening which was punctuated by singing and dancing was attended by the community of Lamin Sanchaba women, children and staff of UNDP.

The Skills Centre will enhance the production capacity of the women in tie and dye, batik and soap- making.